Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:14:35 -0700 (PDT)
From: Kevin Carson <kc.drummerboy@yahoo.com>
Subject: Drummer Boys - Part 40

Drummer Boys
By Kevin Carson

This story is about my relationship with my friend and, well, much, much
more-than-a-jack-off buddy.  Yes, it includes gay teen sex stuff.  It's
based on true experiences but some of the names and places have been
changed for privacy.  Hey, if this is illegal where you're at or if you're
too young to be reading this, then you better not.  Getting in trouble
isn't cool.  All rights reserved.  No reproductions permitted without prior
permission.  Copyright 2008.

Thanks to everyone who has written to me.  I really appreciate your
comments/feedback and questions about this story.  My email is:
kc.drummerboy@yahoo.com.

I also want to apologize again for taking so long between chapters.  I
really needed a little break.  It's been a hectic summer, I'm sure for
everyone.

Sincerely,
-kevin.

***For Zack, who left us way too soon***

Part 40.

Mark and I hung out in his basement all night and talked and laughed,
sometimes not even realizing what we were laughing about.  I like it when
we do that.  The caffeine in the sodas sure kept us charged-up for a while!
We sat there next to each other, physically close, skin occasionally
touching skin.  I like it when we do that, too!

It was fun.  The room was dark, "Shrek 2" was on and the sound was off.  No
matter what, I was determined to be in - and stay in - a good mood.  How
could I possibly be in a bad mood or feel depressed when I'm with Mark?
But the only thing is, I'm not always successful.  I try real hard, though.
And I admit, my mind wandered a few times...

I wasn't overly concerned that Mark would ever intentionally keep a secret
from me, or that maybe he'd be afraid to tell me something... but I still
found myself thinking about it.  I sorta wondered, what could there ever
possibly be that Mark might not want to tell me about?  It would have to be
something waaaay too embarrassing or weird.  Something that he wouldn't
want even ME to know.

About the only thing I could imagine would be something crazy and wacky
like, if he secretly fucked Emily DeMarco.  Something crazy and wacky like
that.  Crazy, wacky shit.  Even if he only WANTED to fuck her!  I know
that's disgusting.  I don't think I could forgive him for that - if he
fucked Emily!  I wouldn't blame him if he wanted to keep that to himself,
if he did.  Jesus, even if he ever jacked off thinking about her... like
some sort of twisted fantasy... that'd also be some wild, crazy, wacky
shit, I say.  And if he wanted to keep that quiet, too, I'd understand.

However *clears throat* if he whacked off thinking about Marcie
Lamson... now THAT's a different story!  She might be a bitch - a slutty,
scheming, trouble-making bitch - but she IS red hot and totally fuckable!
I could handle that, if he did use Marcie for jack off material.  Maybe, I
guess... whatever.  Guys fantasize about older women sometimes, right?
This is all too bizarre!

And the only other possibility I could imagine would be if Mark didn't tell
me something because he wouldn't want to hurt me.  That would never be the
case, though, because in the end, whatever it is that he isn't telling me,
I'd find out anyway.  I have my ways.  And I'd probably be even more hurt.
So that would never happen.

Well, finally, when we crashed, we crashed!  I eventually woke up in the
middle of the night, though, and put my boxer-briefs back on, but Mark
stayed sound asleep on the couch, totally bare-ass naked.  My God, what a
sight!  As soon as I got up off the couch he stretched his legs out and
rolled onto his back.  His seven-incher was half hard, which, I must say,
is a normal state for him, and his left hand found its comfortable home
between his legs.  That's a nice, warm place, between his legs.

The only problem was, when I see Mark with even half a woodie, I get
completely steelhard too!  I just can't control myself, damn it!  So
anyway, I partly covered up my guy with a blanket, making sure his big tool
was still in plain view.  I turned off the dvd player and TV and used the
bathroom as soon as my own dick got soft enough to pee.  Then I took my
place on the floor next to him, as he lay on the couch.

I tried to go back to sleep, but my mind was racing, thinking about all
sorts of things.  Plus, Mark was scratching his legs and his ass in his
sleep... a sound I loved to hear.  If he had an itch, I'd gladly scratch it
for him, except I didn't want to wake him up.  He was also rubbing his
balls and inner thighs, and he moaned a little, trying to smile while
grinding his teeth.  I know he was dreaming... about something!  Me, I
hope!

Jesus Christ, now I was fully awake... and fully hard (as I am now, writing
this!).  I couldn't help it... I had to sit up and look at Mark.  I soooo
wanted to touch him, but I knew he had to sleep.  As for me??  Well I don't
need much sleep, but I figured I would keep watching him while I had the
opportunity.  I sat with my legs crossed and my hard cock was stuck in my
fly opening.  Although it was the middle of the night, there was just
enough moonlight coming through the glass-block windows in the Graham's
basement that it cast a shimmering glow on Mark's sleek body.  I love
watching him sleep.  I love it.  A ring-side seat and a bird's-eye
view... who could ask for more?

Soon, my right hand found its way past the elastic waistband of my
underwear, as my left hand slid up one of the leg openings.  My cock was
sticky, and got even stickier as I gazed at Mark and played with my own
loose, smooth balls.  I managed to get my hard cock free from its
entanglement in the pee fly of my underwear, and started to stroke it.  It
seemed every few seconds I'd feel a pulsing wave from below my nut sac, and
another generous stream of clear precum would ooze out.  I swear it was
more than usual and my dick was ultra-sensitive.

I pulled my underwear completely off and scooped up some of the ooze and
rubbed it around my asshole, which felt really great.  I was getting
hornier and hornier by the second.  Like, I couldn't control myself!  I
spit on my cock to make it even slipperier, and jerked myself like a
wildman.  The squishing sound added to the thrill, and several times I felt
like I was gonna pop, so I'd let up.  I mean, I wanted to cum, but I was
sooo getting off watching Mark, too, that I couldn't really totally stop.
But I'd try to make myself stop... then I'd start jacking again... then
stop... then start.  Damn!!  Edging is pleasure and torture at the same
time!  Try it, if you don't believe me!

Boy, how I wished I had my drumsticks.  At about that point I completely
would have liked one up my ass, sliding in and out, actually.  I could get
a drumstick in a little farther than a finger, even my middle one, and it
feels so good, especially when I twist it around a little bit.  And the
more lube the better.  But I didn't have the sticks and I didn't have any
lube either, so I just had to make do.

Finally I couldn't stand it any longer.  The tension was too much, and I
gave in and crawled up on the couch, on top of my hot stud.  I straddled
his legs, and when I bent down to kiss and lick his nipples, my chest
pressed against his hard pole.  My ass was sort-of up in the air, being in
that position, and the air on my wet slippery asshole felt cool.  I sat
back up, but tried to keep my asscheeks spread apart as much as possible,
resting my buns just above his knees.  My balls met his, and our hard,
throbbing dicks touched.

Somehow, my man must have sensed what was happening, because he got even
harder, even though he was still asleep.  I moved in a back-and-forth
motion... gently at first, but then I gradually picked up speed.  The
feeling of going cock-to-cock was like a pleasant surge of electricity
going through my body.  I wanted to jack him, but you know what?  I was
selfish and got a little crazy and took care of myself first!  I'm such a
horny devil, aren't I!

A few times while I furiously jacked my own dick, I grabbed his, too.  It
was quite a rush stroking him with my right hand and myself with my left.
I was breathing hard and working up a sweat... drops of my perspiration
were falling down my face and onto Mark's lean body as I straddled him.

I just couldn't control my moaning, either.  "Oh!  Uhh!  Uhh!!  UHHH!!
Ohhh!! Aaaaahhhh!!!  Oh God!!!  Oh Fuck!!!!
Hhhhhhhhhhh... FuckFuckFuck!!!!!!!!  OHHHHHH!!!!  Oh SHIT!!!!
Mmmmmmm... now, now, NOW!!!  I'm gonna c-... I'm gonna
cu-... Mmmmmm... I'm... Oh God I'm cumming!!!"

And I did, too!!  Let me tell you, it was pretty fucking awesome.  The
first shot of my hot jizz landed in a straight line right smack dab in the
middle of Mark's smooth tummy.  Another drop splattered right below it, and
it sorta looked like an exclamation point!  Very appropriate, I say!  The
rest just sort-of went flying everywhere, mostly on my right hand and on my
dick.  But it was well worth it and the mess was delicious.  All of my
orgasmic excitement woke Mark up, and he was smiling.

"Dude!  Are you OK?"

I was out of breath, dripping with sweat and, of course, cum.  "Jesus, that
was incredible.  I couldn't help it." I laughed.

"You are one horny little shit, aren't you?!  I'm worried about you!"

I couldn't help but notice all the clear sticky leakage from Mark's cock.
"Oh yeah...?  Well I'm gonna worry about THIS!"  I giggled as I swallowed
his pole.  "Damn, it's tasty!"

I sucked and slurped and jacked him, taking it seriously, while he grinned
and moaned, loving every minute of it.  I smiled, too, and then kissed and
licked his inner thighs, all the way up to his nut sac, which I also kissed
and fondled.  I could tell those two beautiful nuggets were ready to
explode any second, because the minute I took them into my mouth Mark
squeezed his butt cheeks together and spread his knees apart.  He yelped
and bucked as I looked up at him looking down.

"Oh my God!!!!  Uhh Uhh Uhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!  OHHHH Oh God.  Mmmmm Ahhh UHH UHH
UHHHHHHHH JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!"

My face was as close to Mark's cock and balls as I could get.  I took in
his body scent "down there" and thought, that, alone, would make me cum
again!  Gripping his hardness firmly in my hand, I jacked him into
oblivion, gently squeezing and pumping his slippery stick until he bucked
and squirmed and shot his wad straight up and out. The first squirt was
pretty intense and dripped down my hand, but the second and third ones were
even more powerful and shot straight up, about a foot into the air above
him.

"My God, look at that!!" I whispered, smiling.  "Fucking amazing!!"

God, if only I could have caught his fluid with my mouth, mid-air, that'd
be total fucking hotness!  But... I couldn't because it was just too much
too fast!  It was fun to watch, though!!  Soooo much fun!!

Mark's major cum-blast rendered him speechless, except for the loudness of
his screaming and moaning.  When it was all over (and I mean ALL OVER) we
laughed.  He and I fell asleep, again, smiling, only to wake up in the
morning... still smiling!  For once, he actually woke up a little before
me!  I felt his warm breath on my neck, which immediately gave me
goosebumps.  We were both sticky and stinky.  I think the whole room was
smelly, if you know what I mean.  Hours-old, not-quite-dry cum... what a
scent!

"Aaaaaahhhhh..." I yawned and stretched.  "Man, I gotta piss."

"Quit complaining and go to the bathroom, then!" Mark teased.

"Shut the fuck up!" I shot back playfully.  "Stop being mean to me!"

"Boy we're whiney this morning, aren't we, sweetie???"

"Well, can you blame me??" I laughed.  "I didn't sleep a wink last night!"

"Soooo... who's fault is THAT???" Mark said teasingly.  "You're the one who
woke ME up in the middle of the night!"

I could only grin.  "Umm, so are you saying you didn't like what I did?  If
it was so awful, you could have just rolled over and kept on sleeping,
asshole!"

"Someone's crabby!  Shit!"

I tried to cover my head with the pillow, but Mark got it away from me and
started hitting me with it.  The giggles and laughter started... the
trademark sounds of our silliness.  I was losing the "fight."

"Come on, Mark!  Stop!!  STOP!!!"  I yelped, like a puppy whose tail had
been stepped on.  Then he started tickling me, and we were both laughing
harder and harder.  "STOP, PLEASE!!!!!  I really gotta pee!!  You're gonna
make me piss my pants!"

Now Mark was really laughing.  "You're not wearing any pants!"

"Oh yeah!!  Fucker!!"  I broke away and ran to the bathroom, giggling.  But
believe me, if I didn't have to go so bad I would have let Mark tackle me
tight there on the floor, pillow or no pillow, and I would have let him
tease and tickle me to his heart's content.  I'd give in and let him
straddle my legs, holding my arms at the wrists above my head and I'd just
let him do whatever he wants!

I stood at the toilet and immediately my stream hit the water, and I
wondered if Mark could hear me.  I think I was still pissing when he
pounded on the bathroom door and yelled in to me.  "You gonna be in there
all day?  Jeez, dude, hurry it up!!"

"God!!  I'm not even done shaking the piss off my dick, dude!  So just
chill, will ya!?!" I yelled back.  I flushed the toilet and washed my face
and hands, and when all the water stopped running I heard voices.
Specifically, it was Mark's mom and him.  She had been at the hospital all
night with Lisa, and was just getting home.  I'm sure she slept some while
she was there, but still I bet she was pretty tired.  And if she's tired,
that means there's a damn good chance she'd be a bit crabby herself, so I
needed to be on my good behavior more than ever.

I opened the bathroom door a crack and put my ear close to it so I could
hear them talking better.  Luckily she was at the top of the basement
steps.  Still, I wasn't gonna chance leaving the bathroom and having her
walk down there and catch me bare-ass naked.  (And a bit crusty, too I
might add!)  I already had one experience with Mrs. Graham lurking outside
the bathroom door while I was in there, and that was one experience too
many.  It was that time at the cabin, at New Year's, when I was so hot for
Mark and I was in the upstairs bathroom jacking off, and she thought I was
sick, remember?

"What's for breakfast, mom???" Mark yelled up to her.  I could see him
grinning as he asked... "Kevin says he's starved!"

"Shut the fuck up, you moron!" I sort-of whispered. "I'm NOT starving!!
Just get me my God-damned clothes!"

My boy was having the time of his life teasing me.  I know it was all in
fun, but I was getting a little irritated.  Yeah, right!

Mark must have been reading my mind because he handed me some clothes
through the slightly-opened bathroom door.  "Here you go, sweetie!"  I
quickly slipped into them, and just in time, too!  Mrs. Graham came
downstairs!  I walked out of the bathroom and there she was!

I wasn't exactly sure what she and Mark were talking about, but I had to
say something.  First, I turned to Mark and said, so his mother could hear
this time, "Mark, I never said I was starving!"  I didn't say the word
"asshole" at the end of the sentence, but it was implied by my sarcastic
tone of voice.  Then I smiled at his mom, as politely as I could, and said,
"Hey, Mrs. Graham.  How's Lisa today?  I sure hope she's feeling better!"

"Uh, she's good, Kevin... she's feeling a lot better.  We'll get to bring
her home tomorrow, so we're happy about that."

"That's great!  The doctors and nurses are wonderful, aren't they?!" I
added.  "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Well, yes, there is.  Both of you can start by cleaning up this basement.
I don't know what you two have been doing down here, but it smells like TEN
teenage boys slept over!"

OK, that was a weird, off-the-cuff thing to say.  It's like she had it
planned to bitch about something.

"Oh, it must be the pizza from last night.  Right, Mark?"  I looked at him
with a hopeful smile that he'd agree, while still trying to be serious.

"It's NOT pizza!"  Mrs. Graham said, hands on her hips, shaking her head
slightly as she glanced around the room, not looking at either one of us.
"I should warn Connie Eckert what she can look forward to when Dylan gets
to be a teenager."

Mark kind-of smirked as he looked at me and not her.  "No problem, Mom.
We're on it."  He arched his eyebrows, as if to say he knows she's a pain
in the ass.  My jaw dropped when she said that, about the smell.  Come on,
it wasn't THAT bad!  Besides, Mark had already done some straightening up
while I was in the bathroom.  Then, when she said that about Nora's little
brother Dylan... I know she meant about him jerking off.  Obviously, she
knows that's what Mark and I were doing!  Would Mrs. Graham really have a
conversation with Mrs. Eckert about what boys do??  I can't believe mothers
really talk about their sons doing that, but apparently they do!!  I bet
they giggle and laugh, talking about it, and try to guess which boys have
the biggest cocks!

After Mrs. Graham made those little comments, she started to go back
upstairs, but she suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at me,
half-smiling, and said the weirdest damn thing.  "Kevin Carson, I haven't
figured you out.  I swear, I don't know if you're more like
Leave-it-to-Beaver or Eddie Haskell!"

I didn't respond, because, actually... I was fucking clueless what the hell
she was talking about.  I didn't know if she was being funny, or if she had
just insulted me.  So I just stood there with a blank look on my face, my
arms at my sides.  Defenseless.  What the fuck??

As soon as his mother was back upstairs, Mark sprayed some air freshener
and that was about the extent of our clean-up effort.

"Mark, can I ask you something?  Why did your mom say that to me?  And who
the fuck is she talking about??"

He shook his head and laughed.  "Never mind.  You wouldn't understand."

I admit, I was a little bit pissed, because I'm convinced Mrs. Graham
doesn't like me.  "Fuck it, man.  I don't care.  She hates me, and I don't
care!" That's what I said.

"Hey, Bud, don't be all weirded out about stuff my mom
says... just... forget it.  But, umm... can I ask YOU something??  Where'd
you come up with that line about the pizza?"

"Uhh... I dunno... Did it sound stupid or something?"

"Well... fuck yah!  We didn't have pizza, and it sure as hell didn't smell
like pizza, and my mom knows that!"

I got sort-of defensive, in a playful way.  "I guess I just thought I'd say
something.  I was only trying to be nice.  I couldn't say, 'Oh yah, don't
you love how the morning-after smells like cum?'  I really do want your mom
to like me, and sometimes she kinda scares me.  Sometimes I think she
thinks I'm a bad influence on you."

"Sweetie, she doesn't hate you at all.  My mom loves you!  Both of my
parents adore you!"

"Markie-pie, you are soooo full of shit!" I remarked sarcastically.  "OK,
your dad might like me," I conceded.  "But not your mom.  You're not
fooling me!"

Mark got real close to me, and seriously looked me straight in the eyes.
"Sweetie.  If my mom thought that you were a bad influence on me, she'd
make me stop seeing you.  She wouldn't let you in the door.  You'd
definitely know if she didn't like you.  But that's not the case.  She's
never said a word about anything to do with not liking you.  Not one
fucking word."

"You gotta admit, she doesn't cut me any slack like she does you."

"I'm her son, for Christ's sake!!"

"But the shit she says to me sometimes.  She doesn't say stuff like that to
Keith."

"Look, I know how she is sometimes, and you just gotta suck it up and get
used to her.  I know she makes little remarks now and then, but believe me,
she doesn't hate you.  It's just the opposite, and that's not a line of
bullshit.  She loves you.  I admit, she might have a weird way of showing
it... but she knows what you mean to me..."

"What??  She knows????"

"No... No... she doesn't, like, "KNOW" know, you know..."

"You mean, she doesn't know we love each other.  She doesn't know we fuck.
You're not out to her, I know you're not."

"Well, no, not like THAT.  Jesus, Kev, that's putting it kinda blunt."

"I'm sorry, Mark.  I didn't mean it like that.  I know you'll tell your mom
about us when you're ready.  Then she'll REALLY hate me."

"OK, now I feel bad, too.  No, I'm not out to my mom, not like about the
personal stuff.  But shit, Kevin. My mom - and everybody else - they GOTTA
see what you mean to me, and what I mean to you.  We're together all the
time... well, most of the time.  People can tell we're more than just
friends.  They're not dumbasses.  But I just don't want to come right out
and tell my mother that, you and me, we're fuck buddies."

"OK, now who's being blunt??!!??" I asked, with a grin.

Thank God we both chuckled.  Just the way Mark said that... about being
"fuck buddies."  I never thought of it that way, that we're fuck buddies.
It was funny.  He wasn't upset or anything, and there's no way I could be
upset, really.  We were just having a discussion... one that we really
hadn't ever had, exactly.  And maybe we were just tired.  So, you know
what?  It was all good.

"Are we OK??  I mean, you're not still pissed or anything, right?"

"Me??  Pissed at you??  No way.  But dude, we DO need to shower.  Maybe I
should go home, do you think?"

"No, no!" Mark pleaded.  "Let's get cleaned up here and maybe hang out for
a little bit.  I have to go to work at 3 o'clock, so we've got time."

"Cool.  I am hungry, though."

"What the fuck??!!  You're crazy!  Five minutes ago you said you weren't
hungry at all!!"

"Yah, well, OK... so I lied!" I smiled.

Just then Mrs. Graham yelled down to the basement, "Mark, when you come
upstairs, would you please carry up that basket of clean laundry?"

"Got it, mom!!" Mark yelled back.  Then he said, "Got an idea... you can
shower down here and I'll go upstairs.  Then we'll go out and get stuff."

"OK, but I need clean underwear, and a t-shirt or something..."  I followed
him into the laundry room and he threw me a towel and washcloth.  He dug
through the basket and gave me a clean pair of his plaid boxers, a Gap polo
shirt and cargo shorts.  I love the preppy look!

"Here you go, sweetie!"

"WAIT!!  What should I do with the underwear I have on?  I can't just leave
them for your mom to wash."

"Well... here, take 'em off.  I'll stash them in my room and we'll figure
it out later..."

I hesitated.  "Umm..."

"Umm... what?" Mark shook his head.  "Come on!  Strip!  We're in a hurry!
You're starving, remember??!!"

"But... I can't!"

"Huh??  Why can't you?  You're acting weird.  Come on, get your clothes
off!"

"Well... you'll see me naked!"

"Oh Jesus, fuck me!  That'll be a first, won't it??  Me seeing you naked!
I've had your entire body in my mouth and NOW you're worried about me
seeing you naked??  You're insane!"

"I'm joking, asshole!  You know I'm a bit of an exhibitionist!"  I grabbed
my cock and shook it at Mark.  "And if YOU'RE so damn hungry, eat THIS!!"

"I might take you up on that offer!"

"OK!!"  (I was hoping he was serious!)

"Don't jerk off in the shower or anything... it'll take too long, you know,
since we're BOTH dying of starvation, remember??  Meet me in the driveway
in five minutes!"

"No problem, smartass!"

So, with lightening speed, we both showered separately.  I used some
mouthwash since I didn't have a toothbrush.  I put on the clothes Mark gave
me and shot upstairs.  Mark was right behind me, so we piled in the
Cherokee and took off.

You wanna a cheesy spicy-pepper and black-bean breakfast burrito?  With
extra onions and jalepeņo salsa??"

"Oh, yeah, right!  I'll have two!!!

"Come on sweetie... live a little!"

"Umm... NO!  YOU'RE the one who's insane!  Let's' just get donuts.  Plain
glazed."

"Did I hear you say cream-filled???"

"NO!!  I said... A FUCKING PLAIN FUCKING GLAZED FUCKING DONUT!!!  THAT'S
IT!!!  THAT'S ALL I WANT!!!"

"BURRITOS!"

"DONUTS!!"

"HOT AND SPICY!!"

"PLAIN GLAZED!!"

"You ARE crazy!"  Mark laughed, and the next thing I knew, he pulled into
Dunkin' Donuts!  In fact, both of us were laughing hysterically at that
point.

We ordered 2 donuts each - plain glazed of course, and 2 large coffees.
That's all I needed, really, was to be on a combined sugar and caffeine
high.  The two of us sat there and continued to giggle. "Damn these are
good!"  I got up and ordered both of us two more.  And since that wasn't
enough, Mark gave me five bucks and told me to get two more and we'd eat
them on the way home.  I drooled as I watched him stand up, pulling his
shorts up slightly when he reached down in his pocket.  That beautiful
bulge in his pants was right there at my face.  Forget the donuts!  I'll
just gnaw on that bit of sweetness!  Mmmm!!

On the way home, I mentioned that I was stuffed.  "Jeez, now I'm gonna have
to take a nap."

"Lucky you!  I have to go to work."

"Aw, come on... can't you call in sick?"

"I wish.  It's gonna be hectic around my house, now with Lisa coming home.
And to top it off, my grandparents are coming down from Danbury to stay for
a few days."

I told Mark that would probably drive his mom totally nuts, so I had a
suggestion.  "In that case, you can stay over at my house."

"Well sweetie, I might take you up on that offer, too!" That was music to
my ears, but what came next wasn't. "I gotta go, Kev.  And I got some shit
to do tonight... then I'm working all damn day tomorrow, until five
o'clock."

"And I'm going into the city by myself, remember?  To see Allie.  I
probably won't be back until after five, at least."

"So it all works out.  I'm working, you're playing."

"Yeah, funny.  But seriously, I won't see you until tomorrow night.  That
sucks!  What am I gonna do??  Poor me!"

"Come on, Kev... aren't you sick of me??"

"No."

"Oh, well, I'm sick of you!"

"FUCK OFF!!  You are not!!!"

"I know, I'm just teasing.  Actually, I miss you already.  Tell you
what... when you come back, if you get off at Carle Place I can pick you
up.  I gotta go to the mall after work, so I'll be right by there."

"Cool!"

"Call me when you're ten minutes out, and I'll meet you, and we'll do
something before dinner.  And you can tell me all about Allie and stuff."

"It's a deal."  We sat in the driveway a moment, silent.  Even though our
bantering was playful and in a joking spirit, I could never be sick of
Mark.  And then, to top it off, the fact that we wouldn't see each other
for more than 24 hours sorta got to me.  I was serious, and so was Mark.
"I don't know what's wrong with me, Mark.  But I can't stand to be away
from you... at all."

"I know, sweetie.  I know.  I feel the same way.  But it's not forever.
It's just a day."

"God, I'm being stupid again." I faked a smile.  "You probably ARE sick of
me.  Guess I wouldn't blame you."

"You're NOT stupid, and I'm NOT sick of you.  Now, remember... call me
tomorrow right before you get into Carle Place station."  And he gave me a
quick kiss goodbye.

I noticed the house was pretty quiet, once I got inside.  Keith was
sleeping.  Probably because of all those painkillers.  After I looked
around, lost in thought, I fell asleep too.  And later, after I WOKE up I
felt like THROWING up!  Probably because of all those donuts!

Dad was home when we woke up, and wondered what we wanted to eat.  I
couldn't decide, so he and Keith ordered out.  It didn't matter, especially
since I had no appetite.  I was going through Mark withdrawal, which
happens because I miss him so damn much, even when I'm only away from him
for a few hours.  And although I was really excited about seeing Allie, I
was sorta bummed that I wouldn't get to be with Mark until late the next
day.

Dad and Keith got home a little while later, and I hung out with them, not
saying much, at first.  Dad was like, "Oh, Keith, I meant to tell
you... Ellen Graham called today, I guess while I was gone.  You must have
been sleeping.  Anyway, she said Lisa's coming home tomorrow, and she
wondered if you wanted to go over for dinner, around 7:30."

"WHAT??"  I screamed.  "Keith gets invited, and I don't???  Now I KNOW she
hates me!!"  Boy, I was pissed!  "I said something to Mark about it today,
that I don't think his mom likes me, and this confirms it!  She likes YOU
more than she likes ME!!  DAMN!!  And isn't it a bit much that she wants
you to come for dinner on Lisa's first day home from the hospital??  Fuck
it!!"

"KEVIN!!!!"  I thought Dad was pissed because I said "fuck."  Then he
continued: "She invited all three of us, not just your brother, so calm
down!  I thought maybe you knew since you were over there, and with Mark
all day.  Get a grip, son!  What's gotten into you?"

Keith stared at me as Dad was putting me in my place.  "God, Little Dude!
Meoooowwwww!!!!"

I felt like a real asshole for going off on Keith.  Why did I fly off the
handle like that?  "I'm really sorry, Dad.  I didn't know.  I mean, I know
Lisa's supposed to come home, and Mr. Graham's parents are gonna be there,
but Mrs. Graham didn't say anything to me about dinner and all, so... I
feel like an idiot now."

"You act like you're not getting any!" Keith laughed.

"Funny.  Real funny, bro."

Then Dad pulled me aside.  "Kev, are you alright?"  He asked, very
concerned.  "What was the purpose of that little tirade?"

"Dad, I'm fine.  I don't know why I blew up.  And after all that, I don't
know if I'll go over to the Graham's for dinner anyway, cuz I sorta have
plans all day, and it's too late to change them.  Plus, Mark and I are
supposed do something tomorrow night, and I told him he could stay here
since his grandparents are coming... so..."

"Kevin, I think you have a lot on your mind, and you've got to calm down.
You're letting things bother you that shouldn't.  Little things... minor
things.  You're putting pressure on yourself, so lighten up.  Are you
getting enough sleep?"

"Yeah, Dad.  I mean, I took a big-ass nap this afternoon."

"But, at night... I think you're staying up way too late.  And I don't
think you're eating right.  How could you not be hungry for dinner?"

"Well, I ate a lot today, and that's why I fell asleep..."

"You took a nap because you're exhausted.  And what did you eat today?
Junk?  Probably a bunch of cookies!"

"No, not "junk."  I had some donuts."

"That's it??  No "junk," huh?  Just donuts??"

"Dad, come on, leave me alone... please.  I don't need a lecture.  I'm OK.
Believe me.  Seriously.  Really, I'm OK."  I knew my nerves were shot, but
didn't want to admit it.  Dad looked worried, and stayed silent for what
seemed like forever, letting me fidget.  That period of silence was
horrible, and I started to feel guilty - but I didn't know what for.  "You
gotta believe me, Dad.  There's nothing to worry about.  You're right.  I
probably just need a good night's sleep.  Then I'll be fine."  My voice
started to shake, and then the tears flowed, and I started to sing a
different tune.  All my emotion about my feelings for Mark came out.  "Dad,
I can't stand to be without Mark, not even for a minute.  I'm sooo hooked
on him.  I'm... crazy about him!"

My father took a deep breath, and the look on his face was like "I knew
this would happen."  He tried to be understanding and make me feel better.
"You and Mark are together all the time.  I'd think you'd want a little
space from each other, once in a while.  It's completely normal to be apart
sometimes.  You DO live here, you know.  And he has a family, too.  So this
isn't anything bad..."

"I know.  But he's so awesome, Dad.  More than anyone could ever know.  I
don't have to tell you.  He makes me feel like a different person.  I think
I'm a BETTER person, because of him.  And I just can't stand it if I'm not
with him every waking moment.  I need him."

"Wow.  I think you're pretty special, with or without the help or influence
from anyone else... including Mark!"

"Oh, come on, Dad.  You're just saying that because I'm your son," I
smiled.

"Maybe.  Maybe not!"  Dad smiled and got me to smile, too.  Then he messed
up my hair like he always does.  "Let's go back inside.  You've got to eat
something.  Real food.  No argument!"

I did as I was told, because I really didn't have it in me to go up against
my father.  But I didn't tell him that even though things are so good with
Mark and me... waaay in the back of my mind, I was sorta worried that
someday our 'house of cards' might collapse.  I wasn't overly stressed
about that, but I did think, at times, this whole thing with Mark was all
too good to be true.

Dad quizzed me about my plans for the next day, and I told him how I was
meeting up with Allie.  "You remember me telling you about how I got to
know her and her boyfriend at Indian Ridge, right?"

"Yeah, sure." Dad answered.

'Yeah, sure' my ass.  I don't know if Dad really remembered me mentioning
Allie, and I wasn't even sure if I DID mention her!  Either way, we faked
it.  I sort-of hesitated before telling him I was going into the city.
Alone.

"She lives somewhere near NYU, like in the East Village, I think."

Dad didn't seem to mind when I said that, and there's only one East
Village, so he definitely had to know where I was going.  And he didn't say
a word.  I'm a big boy now, and I've ridden trains into New York enough to
know what I'm doing.  So that was that.

I called Allie after I finally ate something, just to make sure we were
definitely still on.  She told me to take the "A" or the "E" subway
downtown from Penn Station and get off at 14th Street and transfer to the
"L" subway to Union Square, and she'd meet me in front of the original
Barnes & Noble.  She said we'd have lunch at a cool place she likes that's
close by.  Sounds like a plan!  I couldn't wait to see her, really.

I sheepishly asked Keith to please drop me off at the train station in the
morning, and he said he would.  I know it was sort-of a ballsy thing for me
to do... to ask a favor of him, especially since I wigged out about the
Graham's dinner invitation.  But he was nice and said yes, even though it
meant he'd have to be awake, dressed and ready to leave no later than 9:00,
since I wanted to catch the 9:40 into Manhattan.

Even though Mark wasn't going with me, I had an idea about how I could
still have him near me, in a manner of speaking.  I still had on the
clothes he let me borrow, so I decided to wear them again on my trip into
the city.  I threw them in the washer and dryer so they'd be fresh and
clean in the morning.

Mark called later that night, too, so I did get to talk to him before I
finally went to bed.  I brought it up to him about his mom leaving a
message about coming over for dinner, and he told me that she did, in fact,
mention it that morning at his house.  Obviously, when she told me - IF she
told me - my mind was on something else.  Maybe that's what they were
talking about when I was in the bathroom.  Everyone heard but me.  Another
Kevin fuck-up.  I dunno... who gives a shit, really?

"Don't forget, sweetie... call me tomorrow and I'll pick you up at Carle
Place.  Love you."

"Yeah, I know.  I love you, too.  Goodnight."

Deep down, I knew Dad was probably right about me being exhausted.  That,
and being head-over-heels crazy in love with Mark.  I knew I had to get my
shit together or I'd be on a downward spiral, being distracted and
preoccupied and all.  I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, my left hand
deep inside my boxers, exploring between my legs.  I admit to getting a
little more than turned on, feeling myself in all the places I like Mark to
feel.  I sorta laughed to myself, that although I love for him to "touch me
there," I was used to doing it myself, before he ever came along.  But
still... he's got the touch!  Because he's Mark!

I managed to pop a pretty decent load after about thirty minutes of playing
with myself.  It wasn't a real aggressive jerk off at the beginning... I
sort-of managed to relax a little just laying there, thinking about
everything, as I stroked my hardon.  Then, when it was time, my dick got
even harder, my grip got firmer and my hand went up and down at the speed
of light.  I closed my eyes and I swear I saw stars.  My entire body tensed
up and shook at the same time.  Six or seven blasts of hot love lotion were
forced out of me by those high voltage waves of orgasmic pleasure, and I
thought I was in heaven.  Yummy!  I fell asleep with a smile on my face
once again.

The next morning, I showered, got dressed in Mark's clothes and drank like
4 cups of coffee while I waited for Keith.  He took forever!  I decided to
be cool... well... cool for me... which, I dunno if that's saying a lot,
but anyway, I wore a long white t-shirt under the polo with the collar
turned up.  My long braided leather belt held Mark's cargo shorts up just
fine, with a wee bit of his plaid boxers showing at the top, cuz... I'm
really not a sagger.  I DO NOT want my ass hanging out for some creep to
think he can grab it!  I put on one of those yellow Lance Armstrong
wristbands and of course, my blue sunglasses.  I was pretty wired from the
coffee, and fidgeted while listening to Keith's iPod.  I played "I'm With
You" by Avril Lavigne about fifty times until he was finally
ready... straight-up 9 o'clock!  In a way, I WAS with Mark, since I was
wearing his clothes and all.

"I'm taking this..." I said, referring to my brother's iPod.

"Go ahead... whatever..."

Either Keith really didn't care about the iPod, or he was half
asleep... or, maybe he still thinks he's my bitch, but hey... I'm using it,
so that works for me!!  He dropped me off at the train station and told me
to be careful on my adventure.  "Don't do anything I wouldn't do, Little
Dude!" And he laughed as he drove away.

I had plenty of time to buy my tickets, almost forgetting to get the return
ticket to Carle Place.  And of course, you know I had to take a leak, after
all the coffee I drank.  I swear, train station restrooms bring back the
damnedest visuals!  I kept the loudness down on the iPod, so I'd be sure to
hear any announcements.  The 9:40 New York-bound was on-time!  Once I
boarded, I cranked the volume and enjoyed the ride!

The train pulled into Penn Station at about 10:50, almost on schedule, and
instead of catching the subway right away, I went up to street level and
got another big-ass coffee at Starbucks.  Even though it was well after
rush hour, the city was mobbed, with what seemed like tons of people doing
touristy shit.  Then I went back down and bought my farecard, taking the
"A" subway to 14th Street, just like Allie told me to do.  I transferred to
the "L" train and got off at Union Square, and called Allie when I was
uptop.  I walked through the park, and sure enough, there she was, waiting
for me across from Barnes & Noble.

I went crazy.  "HEY ALLIE!!!!!!!!!!"

She threw her arms around me and gave me the biggest hug ever.  Almost.
She was clearly as excited to see me as I was to see her.  "How are ya,
hottie??"  She asked.

I looked around, side to side. "Who are you talking to???"  And we
continued to laugh.

"Have you ever been around Union Square and NYU at all?"

"Well, yeah, I guess, I think so, but this is really the first that I've
been in the city alone.  I mean, we don't come here a lot, but yeah, I've
been to some places."

We walked around through the Greenmarket, which is the open air farmer's
market that had all kinds of cool stuff.  The weather was gorgeous, and at
one point, I looked up and stopped in my tracks because I had a
picture-perfect view of the Empire State Building, which was 20 blocks
away.  That's what got the conversation going about Mark and me...

"Why the huge smile?" Allie wondered.

"Um... because that's where Mark and I said we loved each other... up
there!  It was a week before Christmas.  After we both said it, it started
to snow.  It was awesome, Allie.  Awesome."

We walked along 14th Street, and continued south down 3rd Avenue, talking
about everything.

"Jon and I love the restaurant we're going to.  I hope you're hungry!"

"Well, yeah!  Ready when you are!"  That wasn't totally true.  Eating was
the farthest thing from my mind, but, oh well.

"It's called Three Lemons, and it's on a cool street named St. Mark's
Place.  The area sorta has a history with a lot of rock stars and stuff
like that.  The Rolling Stones made a music video there once."

"Cool!"  I took some pictures with my camera phone.  Who's doing touristy
shit now??  Even though St. Mark's Place isn't named after MY Mark, he IS a
saint, if you ask me!

Once we were seated, we both ordered the lemon chicken salad.  Just so you
know, everything on the menu - and I mean EVETRYTHING - is made with lemons
somehow.  Sorta cool, really.

"So... tell me how you and Mark met," Allie inquired.

"Well, it was almost a year ago.  It was the first day of band practice -
we both play drums - and I saw him and I just had to be friends with him.
I was waaay too shy to talk to him first, but he knew my brother, and in
fact, his sister and my brother started dating around the same time, and
now they're together, too, which is kind-of odd... but anyway, Mark and I
became best friends instantly, which is what I wanted.  That's a story in
itself, because I'm painfully shy, really, and he's super-popular.
Everyone likes Mark!  I've met a lot of people, and made a lot of friends
because of him... but in the end... I have him all to myself!"

"Wow!  So - if it's OK that I ask - I take it he's your first boyfriend,
then?"

I got a little nervous when she asked that.  "Um, yeah.  I mean, I never
knew I was gay or anything until I met Mark.  And even then, it took a
while to realize it.  Then things just sorta happened with him and me one
night.  He was all I could think about... even now I wanna be with him
24/7.  Sometimes I can't figure it all out, really, why he likes me... but
I'm really in love with him, and I can't help it.  And I worry that someday
the bottom's gonna fall out."

"I seriously doubt that will ever happen Kevin... I could tell the moment I
met you guys that you're in love with each other!"

"You know, I like girls, too!  Well, it's really just one girl I sorta
like... my friend Nora.  But we don't, like, you know... have sex or
anything, cuz, that'd mess things up for everyone, but..."

"Does Nora - or, do any of your other friends - know about yours and Mark's
relationship?"

"I don't know.  Sometimes I think they do.  They gotta be thinking
something's going on... but I really don't know.  Our friend Townsend knew.
He was like, our other best friend, and I went to civil war camp with him
at the beginning of summer, and it just so happened that me and him talked
about it one night.  See... we were in a tent and it was really hot and I
had a dream about Mark and I woke up screaming and stuff.  Townie promised
he'd never tell anyone... and he really kept that promise..."  I gave a
long pause, because I got choked up.  "FUCK!"  I whispered.  I was angry
with myself that I got emotional talking about Townsend.  "I'm sorry..."

Allie grabbed my hand.  "Kevin, why are there tears in your eyes?  What
happened?"

"It's another long story, but basically, I wasn't even supposed to go to
civil war camp, it was supposed to be Mark and Townsend, but Mark got
really sick and couldn't go, so that's why I went, and it was great.  It's
a whole week of drills and re-enactments, exactly like it was during the
civil war, and we were the drummer boys in the Union Army.  We had so much
fun and learned a lot... but... Townie had to fly back home at the end of
it, because his family was supposed to leave for vacation the next day,
and, umm... it was his dad's company's private plane, and, um, it went down
in a thunderstorm up in Westchester County..."  I waited a few
seconds... "I'm sorry, Allie... I'm still not over it.  I never will be.
We lost our friend, and there's nothing I can do about it."

"Oh, God, Kevin.  I'm sooo sorry... But it wasn't your fault..."

"Yeah."  I kicked the food around on my plate with my fork.  "Townsend was
incredible.  Smart.  Good at sports.  Rich, but not a snob.  Quite a
partier... I mean, he was the connector who brought all our friends
together socially.  And he was talented... he could act, sing, play
piano... and he was an excellent drummer... I don't know what we're gonna
do this year in band, because he's not there and I don't think anyone could
ever replace him..."

"It'll all work out... somehow..." Allie reassured me.

We must have sat there for two hours talking, and the mood lightened up
considerably, as I told her more about the fun stuff with Mark and me and
about Townsend.  I told her about Christmas, and New Year's and the
cabin... and I bragged about how Townie was featured in the spring concert
and all... and... I told her almost everything!  Even about all the shit
with Emily DeMarco!

"So yeah, and after my brother told her off on the last day of school, no
one's seen her at all this whole summer.  If she starts any trouble next
year, I'm ready for her.  And my Dad is sorta more-than-good-friends with
the psychologist at my school, and she likes me, so if Emily shows her fat
ass, I know I'm sorta in a safe place... but I don't think she'll do
anything."

I wanted to pay for lunch, but Allie insisted... so I left the tip.  We
left Three Lemons, and walked over to 2nd Avenue, where she and Jon live.
Allie showed me around their small - but nice - apartment, and it's in such
a happening neighborhood in the city.  I'm used to suburbia... quiet
streets, lots of trees, and having to drive everywhere.  But I definitely
think I could get used to living in an apartment in the city,
someday... with Mark, of course!

Allie admitted it was an adjustment for both her and Jon to get used to
life in the Village.  Both of them are from the 'burbs, too.  "Jon's from
near Philadelphia... that's where he is today.  His family's far enough
away that they're not here all the time, but close enough that whenever
they want him to do something, he stops what he's doing and goes down there
to kiss their asses.  It's goofy, but I don't say anything."

"Do you like them?" I wondered.  "More important... do they like YOU?"

"Yeah, they like me.  And they always want me to go there with Jon, but I'm
pretty busy and they can be a bit much...  What about Mark's family... do
they like you?"

"Yeah, I guess.  I mean his dad and his sister do, but I don't know about
his mother.  She always says weird shit to me.  Like, the other day she was
saying how I'm like that Siskel & Ebert dude, or whoever he is.  I think
she's sorta putting me down all the time, but Mark says she's not, so
whatever...  What about your family... they're coming, right?"

"Yeah... my mom and dad and Nick will be here Sunday, in fact... so I was
thinking, I'd like to invite you and Mark to come in and meet him, and I
don't know, maybe we could all go do some of the "touristy shit" as you
call it!  Even though they've been here before and we've been to all the
usual places like the Statue of Liberty and the museums."

"That'd be awesome!  Maybe we could go down to Ground Zero.  And I was
thinking maybe you guys could come out to my house, too.  We could maybe go
to the beach or something... there's lots of stuff to do.  And my one
friend, Matty Kramer, well, he and Nick I think would get along great.  I'm
hoping!"

Then it was Allie's turn to be a bit emotional.  "Thank you, Kevin.  That's
what I really wanted to talk to you about, too... is about Nick.  I told
you he's expressed some things about his sexuality and has had some
problems with being by others accepted at school.  He came out about a year
ago, and had a relationship with a really nice kid... but word got around
fast... the boy's parent's flipped out, and let me tell you, it wasn't
pretty.  Other kids were so cruel, and Nick had a really hard time
understanding some of it.  But, he really amazes me, though, because, I
know how much he was hurting about everything, but he always manages to put
other peoples' problems before his own.  And what I didn't tell you about
him... is that he doesn't hear."

"Huh??"

"He's deaf... he can't hear.  He has profound hearing loss in both ears."

I was stunned.  "What did you say??"  I felt like I was shot through the
heart.  "No one should have to deal with any of that..."

"Even though now he has a cochlear implant on one side... it's still a
struggle.  He's been to a million doctors and has gone to a special school
in Austin, but it's tough.  Despite all that kid has been through, he's
always amazingly cheerful."

"Oh My God... is this him?"  I picked up a framed picture of their family.

"Yeah... that was taken last year... he's cute, isn't he?"

"GOD YES!!  Maybe I shouldn't say that... but yes!"  I mean, other than
Mark, Nick might be the most gorgeous guy I've ever seen.  "Can he hear
anything at all... like any kind of sounds?"

"Very little, from what we know.  Somehow he likes music, though.  He
listens - or what would be "listening" in his world - to music all the
time... for hours.  We communicate by signing.  And, he reads lips too...

"He can talk, though.  Right?"

"Very little.  But his sense of people is incredible, and honestly, once
you get to know him and he gets to know you, communicating is second
nature.  You'll see!  I've always tried to help him as much as I
could... so, forgive me if I seem a little over-protective..."

"Typical big sister stuff, huh?" I smiled.  "What else does he like?"

"Baseball!  He loves baseball!"

"He loves baseball??!!  Great!!"  That gave me an instant idea... It'd be
excellent to invite Nick and my friends to a ballgame!  Even though I'm a
Yankees fan... everyone else on Earth loves the Mets, so maybe my
grandfather could hook me up with some tickets!  I knew I'd have to talk to
him first, and it would depend on how many tickets he could get, so of
course I couldn't say anything to anyone just yet.

Allie and I talked even more about our lives the entire afternoon.  I don't
think I could even begin to recap all that we talked about.  Our
families... our friends and relationships... our backgrounds... our future
plans...  There were some things I'm sure she didn't tell me about, and
there were a few things I didn't tell her as well.  I skipped over some
obvious, deeply private stuff that I just couldn't talk about.  She
probably picked up on that, but was respectful and didn't pry.  I told her
how awesome I think it is that she wants to be a lawyer, and I sorta made
her promise me, for personal reasons, that she'd never, ever give up that
goal.

About 5:00, I figured I'd better get going.  "I bet the city is a mess this
time of day, isn't it?  By the time I get back to Penn Station and get my
train and all, I won't get home until after seven."

Allie walked back up to Union Square with me to get the subway.  She had to
buy something at Circuit City, so we said our goodbyes there.  Two skinny
emo-looking guys, wearing the tightest leather pants I've ever seen, were
standing by the entrance and looked us over.  I don't know what THEY were
thinking... but, I must say, the one guy had a pretty nice ass.

"Behave, Kevin!  I saw you checking out that dude's ass!" Allie teased.

"What!!??  I didn't do anything!" I laughed.  "I'll call you tomorrow!"

Allie thanked me again, and gave me a kiss on the cheek... then she
disappeared inside Circuit City.  I ran over to Duane Reade and bought a
Red Bull, some candy and bubble gum for the trip home.  The subway was
extremely crowded, and I was one lucky bastard to even be able to stand and
hold onto one of the grab bars.  Of course, it goes without saying that
Penn Station was also bustling with commuters all trying to get home after
the working day was done, too.  If I hadn't been so anxious to get home to
Mark, I swear I would have stayed in the city and just wandered around.
But I made it down to the LIRR waiting area, and soon my track appeared on
the screen, and it was time to board.

I was exhausted.  I dunno... it was hot, dirty, busy... but exciting!  It
always is.  But after all that, the ride on the train causes you to realize
your body needs to just... unwind.  I keep fighting that.  I never want to
stop.  I don't want to sleep.  Like the Energizer bunny, I want to keep on
going and going and going...

From the minute we pulled out of Penn Station, I had my earbuds in,
listening to "Truth Is A Whisper" by the Goo Goo Dolls (Gutterflower/2002)
over and over on Keith's iPod.  I do that a lot... listen to the same song
repeatedly.  I thought a lot about Nick.  Knowing what I know now, and all
that Allie has said about him... my worries and problems seem so small in
comparison.  I realized, listening to that song, that for Nick, truth IS a
whisper... in so many ways.  And I can't wait to meet him.

I smiled to myself as I chugged the Red Bull and chomped on the grape
bubblegum.  I was thinking about that emo-boy's ass in those crazy tight
leather pants, and thought there's no way I'd ever wear those... I wouldn't
be caught dead in them, but just for kicks I'd like to see Mark wearing
them.  I got half-hard visualizing that!

"Next stop - Carle Place.  Carle Place station next..." The conductor
announced...

Wouldn't you know it... I almost completely forgot to call Mark.  I was
right... it was five minutes before seven as we approached the train
station.  "Hey, we're just pulling in... can you still pick me up?"

"I'm already here, sweetie!  I'm waiting in the parking lot.  How was your
day??  Everything OK with Allie??"

I was so damn happy to hear Mark's voice.  "Yeah, Allie's good!"  It made
me realize we're the two luckiest guys in the world.  "Everything's good!"
I couldn't wait to see him.  "I had a great time!"  I couldn't wait to give
him a hug.  "I missed you so much today!"  The train slowed...

"Carle Place - this stop.  This is Carle Place station."

I could see Mark waiting by the platform.  My heart was pounding.  The
train finally stopped moving and I bolted down the steps.

"Over here, sweetie!" he shouted.

I ran up to Mark, hugged him as tight as I could and wouldn't let go.  "I
love you!  I love you!"

"I love you, too, sweetie!  Are you hungry?"

"Mmm... yeah, sorta.  But I don't wanna go to your mom and dad's, if that's
OK..."

"No problem..."

"Let's go get crazy... right now... just you and me!!"

We drove towards Dunkin' Donuts, and Mark pulled in...

"Glazed??" he asked, with that heart-stopping wide beautiful grin.

"No... Cream-filled.  But I'm not talking about donuts!"

(To be continued...)